virus

Authorities say that steps are being taken to contain the virus and that risk of a global spread of the virus remains low.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that a patient in Bangladesh died after contracting the Nipah virus, adding that it believes the risk of the disease spreading internationally still remains low.

The WHO said on Friday that a patient died after being admitted to hospital on January 28, where a team collected throat swabs and blood samples. Infection with the virus was laboratory-confirmed the following day.

“On 3 February 2026, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Bangladesh notified WHO of one confirmed case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in Rajshahi Division,” the international health organisation said in a statement.

The announcement comes about a week after two cases were confirmed in West Bengal state in eastern India, as authorities work to contain the deadly virus that they say remains largely under control.

An outbreak of the Nipah virus in India’s West Bengal has heightened concerns in China and several Southeast Asian nations, prompting tighter health screening operations at airports, though the WHO said it does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions based on current information.

“WHO assesses the overall public health risk posed by NiV to be low at the national, the regional and global level,” an assessment reads.

“The risk of international disease spread is considered low,” it said.

The WHO said that the patient in Bangladesh, described as a female between the ages of 40 and 50 residing in the Naogaon district, first began experiencing fever and neurological symptoms on January 21. The patient reported no travel history but had recently consumed raw date palm sap.

An additional 35 contact persons have been tested for the virus, with no further cases yet detected.

About 348 Nipah virus cases have been reported in Bangladesh since 2001, about half of which occurred among people with a confirmed history of drinking raw palm sap.

Outbreaks tend to occur on a seasonal basis from the months of December through April, which the WHO says corresponds with the harvest and consumption of date palm sap.

There are currently no licensed medicines or vaccines specific for the infection, and the fatality rate is reported to be high, between 40 percent and 75 percent, among people infected with the virus, according to reports.

In a statement last week, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called Nipah a “rare but serious disease” that authorities are working to counter.

“Authorities have increased disease surveillance and testing, implemented prevention and control measures in health care settings, and are keeping the public informed about how to protect themselves,” Ghebreyesus said.

It is estimated that between 40 and 75 per cent of people infected with the virus will die

Health experts have urged travellers to follow specific advice amid the outbreak of a potentially deadly virus. Cases of Nipah virus have been reported in parts of Asia.

In an update, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) explained that understanding the virus is “important” if you are planning to travel to one of the areas where it circulates. The natural hosts of the virus are fruit bats.

But there is evidence that Nipah virus can infect other animals. Human outbreaks of Nipah virus have only been identified in South and South-East Asia.

Most recently, an outbreak has been reported in West Bengal in India, however, previously affected countries include:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Malaysia
• The Philippines
• Singapore

Symptoms

According to the UKHSA, the incubation period (the time between becoming infected and symptoms appearing) is typically four to 21 days. Symptoms usually begin with the sudden – onset of non-specific flu-like illness or fever.

Pneumonia and other respiratory problems may also develop. The UKHSA said: “The most serious complication is encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis, which typically develops three to 21 days after the initial illness begins.

“This is the hallmark of Nipah infection and is associated with a very high mortality rate.” The virus has a high mortality rate among humans.

“It is estimated that between 40 and 75 per cent of people infected with Nipah virus will die,” the UKHSA said. “Some survivors may be left with lasting neurological difficulties, including persistent seizures and personality changes.

“In rare cases, the virus can reactivate months or even years after the initial infection.”

Transmission

Human infections can occur through direct contact with an infected animal and their secretions. However, many infections result from the consumption of fruits or fruit products (such as raw or partially fermented date palm juice) contaminated with the poo, urine or saliva of infected fruit bats.

The UKHSA added: “Person-to-person spread is possible through close contact with an infected person or their body fluids. This has been documented in Bangladesh and India, most commonly among family members and close contacts caring for infected patients.

“Those with respiratory symptoms may pose a transmission risk.” Currently, there is no proven specific treatment for Nipah virus infection, and no preventative vaccine.

Advice for travellers

To stay safe, the UKHSA recommends the following steps if you are travelling to an affected area:

• Avoid contact with bats and their environments, and sick animals
• Don’t consume raw or partially fermented date palm sap – if consuming date palm juice, ensure it has been boiled first
• Wash all fruit thoroughly with clean water and peel before eating; avoid consuming fruit found on the ground or fruit that appears to have been partially eaten by animals
• Wear protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals and during slaughter and culling procedures
• Practise good hand hygiene, particularly after caring for or visiting sick people
• Avoid close, unprotected contact with anyone infected with Nipah virus, including contact with their blood or body fluids

The UKHSA said: “If you develop symptoms while overseas in an endemic area, seek advice from a health professional immediately. If you develop symptoms after returning to the UK, contact your healthcare provider and make sure to mention your recent travel history.”